Government unveils landmark child poverty strategy

A National Mission

The strategy, titled Our Children, Our Future, sets out a ten-year roadmap to tackle the root causes of poverty. Ministers describe it as a “moral and economic imperative,” citing evidence that poverty damages life chances and costs billions in public services.

The Scale of the Challenge

Currently, 4.5 million children—around 31%—live in relative poverty after housing costs, with 2 million in deep material deprivation. The government warns that without decisive action, these figures will rise.

Key Measures:

• Boosting Family Income: The controversial two-child limit on benefits will be scrapped, alongside above-inflation rises in Universal Credit. A new cap on debt repayments will ease financial strain.
• Cutting Essential Costs: Free childcare will extend to children from nine months old, and universal breakfast clubs will roll out in schools from 2026. Free school meals will expand to all families on Universal Credit.
• Housing & Energy: £39 billion will be invested in social housing, with stronger protections for renters and expanded energy discounts.
• Local Support: A £1 billion annual Crisis & Resilience Fund and a £500 million Better Futures Fund will bolster councils and charities.

Progress will be tracked through annual reports, focusing on two indicators: relative low income and deep material poverty. The first report is due in summer 2026.

Charities have welcomed the abolition of the two-child limit and expanded school meals as “game-changers,” but critics warn the absence of legally binding targets and unresolved issues like benefit caps could undermine impact.

The government aims to reduce child poverty by 550,000 over the next decade. Whether this bold plan delivers will depend on sustained funding and political will.